Cycle One: What is Curriculum? What is its Purpose?

             Curriculum, as used by schools, is a tool that is meant to guide both teachers and learners on an educational journey.  Curriculum is used to help ensure that students are given an “appropriate” and “equal” education.  I put the words appropriate and equal in quotations because I struggle with accepting those words as they are.  I am only in the early stages of the MATC program, but thus far I have learned much about the short-comings of current state mandated curriculum and the potential we can have as educators to make a difference when we have the opportunity.
            I agree that the purpose of curriculum should be to set a roadmap for teachers to follow in order to create a meaningful education.  But I think we need to step back for a moment and reassess what meaningful really means.  I believe that the purpose of education should be to create and metamorphosis a student into becoming the most productive and well-rounded human being they can be.  In order to do this, we need to look at each student as a person and not as a number.  Not everyone is made to attend a university after high school.  It is our job as educators (and sometimes our students biggest cheerleaders) to guide our students to individual success.
            Reading Donovan’s article reaffirmed my belief that education and curriculum needs to be differentiated from person to person.  However, in the case of Donovan who is severely handicapped, the issues in his curriculum are much more clear and easier to see.  Donovan clearly needs differentiated care, but there are so many students in various schools all around the country who are falling below the radar and not being cared for, as they should be.  Schools are relying on a liberal arts education that puts each student on a path geared towards college. The two chapters by Nel Noddings helped me see these issues clearer.
            I would like to address this issue on a personal level.  Currently one of my good friends is going through a personal crisis that is the result of a kindergarten though 12^th grade education that taught him to believe that the only worth while path in life was to graduate from high school and to pursue a college degree.  Now, this may not be an issue for the millions of students out there who fall into that category, but for my dear friend, he is currently 27 years old and STRUGGLING with an undergraduate degree.  Not only is he struggling to succeed in basic classes, but he is also suffering in a severe loss of self-esteem.  However, my friend is very capable of many different skills.  But society has set him up to believe that if he doesn’t receive a college degree, then he is less of a person in society.  It saddens me to think that if he had been offered vocational courses in high school, and a support system that recognized the theory of multiple intelligences that he would not be in the place he is today.  Today, as and educator and a friend I may be able to relay to him that the ability to succeed in a traditional classroom or college is not a measure of intelligence and value, but I hate to say it- the damage is already done.  Personally, I feel very lucky that I am part of the percentage that found “school” to be easy and openly accepted that college was the next path after high school.  I was even able to find a balance in incorporating one of my hobbies (visual arts) into my education.
            I enjoyed reading Noddings perspective on how it is important for us as educators to also consider our students physical and spiritual well being.  If our job is to help students become their best selves, we cannot forget about those two aspects.  When I think about the concern regarding our students spirits’ my mind goes to friends and students who have taken their own lives.  If we as teachers could be more in touch with matters other than the popular math, science and social studies I feel there would be a stronger sense of care and a stronger willingness to be open.
            I feel that the issue of curriculum is bigger than we are as educators, and that seems very scary.  It seems quite a bit easier to focus on following the standards and benchmarks than to introduce a new perspective that encourages us to look at each student as an individual- but in order to encourage individual success, it is necessary for us to do that.
           
Resources
http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-05-15/news/college-immaterial-for-high-school-students-in-vocational-training/
This article, written by Todd Spivak, discusses how vocation programs are providing opportunities for students who are not on the path towards college.  The article discusses students who may have otherwise dropped out of high school had there not been an alternative route.

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm
This website explores Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences.  Explores the different ways in which people learn and therefore the different ways people can teach.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/blog/ignoring_vocational_education.php
This blog by Dan Luzer discribes how America's economy could benefit from more vocational schools/program- Yet we are cutting our funding for vocational programs. 

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2010/Mar/15/op/hawaii3150309.html
 This article, written by David Matsumoto, discusses how Hawaii is reevaluating its education system in order for improvements.  Hawaii is trying to make great efforts to help prepare students for their futures whether it be a vocation or college. "Especially during three years of public high schools in Hawai'i, curricula should be tailored to the student's abilities and aptitudes."


http://www.readingrockets.org/article/263/
This website focuses on differentiated instruction based on the students' needs.  What it is and how to do it.

Introduction

Hello! My name is Becky and I am an elementary school art teacher.  For the last three years I have worked for the same school district in Metro Detroit.  Currently I travel between three different schools each week, which means I have roughly 600 students!  I have to admit, the travel and the great amount of students are a challenge, but it's important to me that I can help make a positive impact on my students' lives.  I have a particular interest in helping to end bullying.

I received a Bachelors of Fine Arts and Art Education degree from Michigan State University a few years ago.  My concentration in the Fine Arts department was painting.  I also enjoyed many of the art history classes I attended- in particular Italian Renaissance painting.

In addition to teaching I am also a professional make-up artist.  Between graduating from MSU (I graduated after a fall semester) and my internship year in the Fall I moved to Toronto to study make-up artistry.  When I was there I studied the art of prosthetic making, special effects, bridal, fashion and theatrical make-up.  I have been able to work on some fun projects during the summer.  In addition to make-up artistry I also like to travel, go to concerts and play with my dog!